Meet our team

Since 2006, Withrow Park Farmers’ Market has been bringing neighbours together through local food and community connection.

As a not-for-profit organization, our market is made possible by a dedicated team of staff, Board members, and volunteers who work behind the scenes to bring each market day to life. From supporting local farmers and vendors to organizing events, building partnerships, and welcoming our community, each person plays a part in making Withrow a place where everyone belongs.

Mary Fragedakis

Chair, Board of Directors

Lauren Harvey

Vice Chair, Board of Directors

Kathryn Ellis

Member, Board of Directors

Vince DeMarco

Member, Board of Directors

Clemence Leveau-Vallier

Member, Board of Directors

Melissa Greer

Member, Board of Directors

Tiffany Myerson

Member, Board of Directors

David Ng

Member, Board of Directors

Anna Tomez

Market Manager

Emily Everest

Market Assistant

Reeman Abu-Deyah

Marketing Coordinator

Janet Robins

Chair, Operations Committee

Stacey Waspe

Member, Operations Committee

Kadence Bunke

Member, Operations Committee

Our Story

Learn how Withrow Park Farmers’ Market began, how we’ve grown, and what continues to bring our community together.

Our Partners

Meet the local businesses and organizations whose support helps make the market possible each season.

Vince is a commercial litigation lawyer and new member of the Riverdale neighbourhood who was drawn to the market’s ability to foster social connection, diversity and sustainability while also providing access to real food. The highlight of his week is taking his family to the market on Saturdays. He hopes to use his legal and management experience to expand the market and grow its impact in the community.

Mary is a local economic development professional with extensive experience in both the private and public sector. A former Toronto City Councillor, she championed the food justice movement at City Hall and advocated for a sustainable, inclusive, resilient and diverse food system that improves health, nutrition, food security, economic development and environmental sustainability. Mary also served as a member of the Golden Horseshoe Food & Farming Alliance and advanced an urban perspective on the importance of the Greenbelt in providing environmental benefits to the living city.

Mary is also a member of the Back Office committee.

Almost 20 years ago, Kathryn Ellis saw the signs “Coming soon” and ran home to tell her husband, “We’re getting a Farmers’ Market!” And she’s been at the market most Saturdays ever since! A former publicist and retired high school teacher, Kathryn now turns her energies to many Market projects: she was an editor of Market Days: A Withrow Park Farmers’ Market Cookbook and contributes to and edits the Market newsletter among other projects. If you’re looking for her, just come by Withrow Park any Saturday in Market season.

Kathryn is also Chair of the Operations committee.

Melissa is a seasoned marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience leading not-for-profit and top-tier global brands. She’s passionate about community, bringing people together, and supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference. A long-time Riverdale resident, Melissa has been a regular at Withrow Park Farmers’ Market since her kids were in diapers. From fresh produce and craft booths to baked goods and kids’ activities, she loves everything the Market has to offer, especially the sense of community it brings to the neighbourhood. In her free time, she loves to travel, run, and spend time with her husband, two children and energetic Labrador Retriever.

Tiffany is a corporate lawyer in the public sector with a passion for supporting community-focused organizations. Having worked in both the private and public sector, she enjoys helping organizations navigate issues and build strong governance practices. A longtime supporter of local initiatives, Tiffany has volunteered with the Leslieville Farmers Market and currently volunteers at Emily’s House Children’s Hospice in Riverdale. A lover of Toronto’s East End community, outside of work you’ll find her at the pottery studio, playing beach volleyball or wandering the farmers’ market.

David is a longtime participant in the Withrow Park Farmer’s Market, as a vendor, as a volunteer and now as a member of the Board of Directors. David wants to leverage his work experience as a law clerk, an IT analyst and a customer care specialist to continue making the Farmer’s Market a welcoming place for community, food, growers and craftspeople to meet and to share every Saturday morning. In his spare time, David enjoys hiking, dancing, and taking care of dogs and cats. Here’s to another 20 years of the Withrow Park Farmers’ Market.

David is also a member of the Back Office Committee.

Anna is passionate about creating welcoming community spaces where local food, small businesses, and people can come together. Originally from Brazil, she has always been drawn to the connection between food, people, and the environment.
With a background in environmental sciences and public relations and strategic communications, Anna brings together her interests in sustainability, community engagement, and local food in her role as Market Manager at Withrow Park Farmers’ Market. She loves getting to know the market’s vendors and attendees, supporting local growers and makers, and helping create a Saturday market experience that feels welcoming to everyone.
Outside of the market, Anna enjoys exploring parks and trails, reading, crocheting, and discovering new local food spots.

Emily is passionate about local food, sustainability and the communities that form around them. A graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Environment and Business program, she loves seeing people come together at the market and supporting a more sustainable local food system. Outside of the market, Emily loves travelling, exploring the city and seeking out new adventures wherever she can.

Reeman is a marketer, photographer and designer with a love of visual storytelling and bringing people together. She loves capturing the small moments that give the market its character and finding creative ways to celebrate its farmers, vendors and community. Currently pursuing her Master’s in Art, Media & Design at OCAD University, Reeman is always looking for new ways to explore creativity and design. On market days, you’ll usually find her behind the camera, chatting with vendors or capturing whatever catches her eye.

Janet is a consultant specializing in the design of waste diversion programs and policies for First Nations and municipal clients. She joined Withrow Market over a decade ago, championing their commitment to local sustainable agriculture and zero waste. Known locally as ‘Ms. Doolittle, Janet rescues dogs, cats, hedgehogs, turtles, and more. An enthusiastic gardener, she has little success growing veggies and relies on the market to supply her with raspberries, peaches, salad ingredients and prepared treats from the vendors.

Janet was a member of the Board of Directors for 10 years.

Stacey is a freelance web and graphic designer, with 20+ years experience shaping language to the web. She is into data visualization, seed-saving, circular economies, and all things zero waste. Stacey is a gardener, an amateur genealogist and a member of the Guild of One Name Studies. A certified plant-nerd, she loves pollinator gardens, blueberries, gluten-free brownies and will fight you for the last eggplant. Stacey is a mom, step-mom and has two cats. At the Market, you can usually find her chaos wrangling at the monthly swaps.

Kadence is an urban planner, runner, cyclist, and avid baker. She first volunteered at the Market in 2021, and it quickly became her favourite place to spend Saturday mornings! She joined the Operations Committee in 2024 and enjoys working behind the scenes to help the Market run smoothly. She’s passionate about local food systems and the local community. Every month brings amazing produce to Withrow Park Farmers’ Market, but Kadence thinks concord grape season is the best season.

Lauren is seasoned marketing and operations executive with over 20 years of experience. She is passionate about using her skills to solve complex operational issues. Her love of her community shines through with her work at the market and her burgeoning green thumb, as she works to create a beautiful garden that all can enjoy. In her free time she likes to travel, scuba dive and spend time with her husband and her cat.

Lauren is also a member of the Operations committee.

Clem is a seasoned marketer, a cyclist, a mother of 3, a sometimes crafter, and a budding gardener. She’s passionate about good food, sustainability, and community, which are all cornerstones of Withrow Farmer’s Market. On market days you can find her loading up on fresh fruits and veggies, catching up with friends, enjoying some of the delicious market food, and occasionally selling some of her crafts.

Clemence is also a member of the Back Office committee.